The 'How to Cook' Blog

Don’t think beans sound exciting?! Well, let me tell you… Beans are a staple in many cuisines from around the world. They are inexpensive and easy to use, if you know how to prepare them and cook them. Instead of buying canned beans, you can make your own at a fraction of the cost and without the preservatives and chemicals they add to keep them “fresh”. Beans are full of  [ Read More ]

Is it cold outside? Is your household a bit “under the weather”? Do you hear sniffles around the home? Then, a good, homemade chicken or turkey broth are in order. A broth is easy to make with basic ingredients and a bit of time on your hands. What you will end up with is something hearty, healthy, and comforting for everyone in your family, soothing their throats and helping them  [ Read More ]

 A flavor explosion is what you’ll get when you cook this soup at home in less than 20 minutes… …That’s right! 20 minutes…full of flavor and not a long list of ingredients. The video is an episode of “Qualifirst Cooking with Kimberly“. Be sure to Subscribe today! Today, I’m using these amazing Royal Command Fire Roasted Piquillo Peppers that bring this soup to a level of yumminess you won’t soon  [ Read More ]

Looking for a hearty, flavorful soup for this cold winter weather? Try this fiery blend of smoked paprika, piquillo peppers, chilies & tomatoes with the accent of a balsamic-style vinegar to top it all off. The video is an episode of “Qualifirst Cooking with Kimberly“. Be sure to Subscribe today! In this recipe, I am using some special ingredients that are kicking this soup to another level entirely. Firstly, the  [ Read More ]

If you’ve never cleaned a whole fish before, it may be gross to look at, but is pretty easy to accomplish. If you’re squeamish, just buy your fish already fileted…no one will think any less of you. These particular mackerel came from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada. * The video below may not be appropriate for all people. If you are not comfortable with blood and guts, look  [ Read More ]

Don’t you just love the way homes smell during the Holidays with spicy fragrances, and home cooking scents that inundate your smell receptors every time you walk into a guest’s house? Beautiful, right? Well, of course, you want the same thing, don’t you? Don’t you want people to walk in your home when you’re entertaining and say, “Wow, it smells divine in here!”? I do! However, I don’t want to  [ Read More ]

If you have never had corn grilled before like this, then you have no idea what you are missing. That’s the real truth of the matter. In fact, this may be my absolute favorite way to eat corn. Yes, I think it is! This is such an easy, flavorful recipe that takes no time at all, and it will impress to the fullest extent of impressions! LOL Enjoy this fabulous  [ Read More ]

Want to grow your very own Green Pepper Plants at your home? Want to grow the same Green Pepper Plants “Cooking with Kimberly” uses? Want to have a green pepper plant to get you through the winter with fresh peppers? Who doesn’t? LOL You will receive 12 of these green pepper seeds that will produce large, green, crisp peppers that are perfect for Stuffed Peppers recipe, salads and the like.  [ Read More ]

Order Granny Smith Apple Seeds from the ‘Cooking with Kimberly’ Kitchen GardenEver wanted to grow your very own Apple Tree? How about a Granny Smith Apple Tree? Sounding good so far? Want to eat like “Cooking with Kimberly“? These Granny Smith apple seeds came from the apples off the apple tree right out of the “Cooking with Kimberly” Garden in Ontario, Canada! You will receive 2 “Cooking with Kimberly” Granny  [ Read More ]

We’ve all heard of it the disease…Breast Cancer! Furthermore, every one of us has had someone in close circle of loved ones with it or know someone who has dealt with this cancer with someone close to them. Photo right: Kimberly Edwards training @ B.A.M. Niagara Boxing to stay fit It would be unreasonable to say that it is a rare disease among women of all ages, not to mention  [ Read More ]

Well, if you haven’t already realized, let’s get on the same page…We use all 5 of our senses when we eat. Sight Audibles Smell Touch Taste That’s how we “take it all” in, so to speak. There is extensive research being done on how the scent and taste senses affect what we eat, how we eat, when we eat and how much we eat. This research even indicates, in many  [ Read More ]

Basil, or known by its Latin name, Ocimum basilicum, is maybe the most “common” of herbs that grows all over the world.  In fact, that may be why it is referred to as the “King” of herbs in its own right. Photo right: My very own Basil plant in my garden. Historically speaking, being so named the king of herbs came from St. Constantine along with his mother, St. Helen.   [ Read More ]

When I purchased this watermelon, it passed all of my “inspections”. It sounded dense & watery when tapped, it was a good size, no blemishes… Brought it home, cut into it and it looked amazing. Mostly rich, pink flesh, no seeds and minimal rind.  When I bit into it, I was sadly disappointed by the lack of sweetness and slight mushiness it presented us with. So, I decided to juice  [ Read More ]

Yes, I am all about how delicious food can be… …but let’s not ever lose sight of the fact that the point of food is for Nutrition and Sustenance to keep us healthy, energized and alive! I do like to try and give you nutrition facts on recipes I share and food I talk about, when I think of it, and will try and do so even more in this  [ Read More ]

For a very short time, late in the Spring, you may be able to find fiddlehead ferns at your grocer or in your favorite produce market. They are basically an edible fern sprout that is coiled and hasn’t actually opened up into a leaf yet. Fiddleheads look like a coiled snail, almost, and taste like a cross between spinach and asparagus, to me anyway. They are widely popular and used  [ Read More ]

Even if you’re not a full-fledged vegan or vegetarian, you may still be a serious nut lover… …And Rightly So!  People are “nuts” about nuts! If it’s been a struggle to find good quality nuts at your grocer or in your area, you can always check online at places like nutsite.com for a wide variety of good quality, fresh nuts and seeds. There are often times I will buy nuts in  [ Read More ]

Oolong tea is one of my favorite teas to brew… …Why? Because it has a really cool flavor, it helps you lose weight, is a de-stressor, encourages healthy bones & teeth, and gives you energy! Most of the Oolongs I have had the opportunity to try in Canada have a flavor profile similar to that of buttered popcorn to me. However, the exact same tea is lemony to my mother.  [ Read More ]

When you’re looking for a non-caffeinated alternative to black tea, Rooibos is the way to go. Rooibos is actually a black tea from South Africa that is naturally non-caffeinated, and it has less tannins in it than black tea does, so it doesn’t stain your teeth in the same way black teas do. Rooibos literally translated means “red bush” and it’s a plant that is broom-like, and in the legume  [ Read More ]

This morning, I was ready to start my day and kick it off with yet another cup of amazing tea! Today, I want to share with you How to Brew a Perfect Cup of White Tea, and you will find an instructional video below. White tea comes from the same plant as black or green tea, Camellia sinensis, but it is harvested differently. White tea comes from both the leaves  [ Read More ]

This morning, I want to show you exactly how to brew black loose leaf teas in a cup or teapot. In the video below, I used a black looseleaf tea that’s Cranberry flavored, with actual dried cranberries mixed in. This tea is from Lauriam Tea House in Bowmanville, Ontario, and was lovingly given to me by one of my sisters, as she knows I really love tea. Also, today I’m  [ Read More ]